The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Neighbours aren’t happy with planned apartment block
A PLAN to build a modern 13-unit apartment block in the grounds of the former Presentation Convent secondary school on Goat Street, Dingle, isn’t going down well with some of the neighbours, who have lodged a series of objections to the proposed development.
Michael Slattery, who is from Dún Chaoin and now lives in Switzerland where he works in ship chartering, bought the former girls’ secondary school two years ago. He is now seeking planning permission to convert the main school building fronting Goat Street into a B&B with five guest bedrooms and to build a new three-storey detached apartment building accommodating 13 residential units in the school grounds. The proposed residential units are made up of four one-bedroom apartments, seven two-bedroom apartments, and two three-bedroom apartments, with between 24 and 30 car parking spaces provided for residents.
Kane Williams Architects of Tralee say in the planning application that “the development seeks to bring a new use to the site... and aims to address the accommodation shortage that the town is currently experiencing”.
However, the apartment block part of the development – which would be in the area of the derelict school hall - has attracted several submissions to the County Council, in which neighbours say the development would be too big, too close to their properties, and out of character with the area.
Jonathon Moriarty of 1 Barra an tSean Bhaile, which is adjacent to the proposed development site says in his submission to the council that: “This is an inappropriate type of building design and development of incongruous magnitude in this currently quiet residential part of historic Dingle”.
He adds that “the proposed … apartment block will affect the natural sunlight and heat to my home through shadowing and high ridge line… will generate ongoing light pollution … [and] the traffic, noise and air pollution generated in the area directly adjoining my quiet outdoor living space at my rear garden will be significant.”
He also responds to Kane Williams Architects’ assertion that the provision of 30 parking spaces as part of the development would “greatly benefit Dingle town which suffers from a lack of parking throughout the year”.
“I object to the site being used as the suggested parking alleviation for the street/town,” Jonathon says in his submission. “It is up to the public authority to solve the traffic and parking issues in the town and I object to my quality of life being diminished by the excessive level of parking and traffic impact that this development will generate.”
Jonathon’s neighbour Siobhán McNulty, of 2 Barra an tSean Bhaile, also lodged an objection highlighting her concern about traffic volume and safety in a residential area and close to the convent primary school.
“The volumes of traffic that are likely to result from the proposed development are significant [and] pose a considerable safety risk to children and the community as a whole…” she says.
Siobhán also points out that the entrance to the proposed apartment block is only 7.66m wide and “it will likely be impossible, at least very difficult and dangerous, for trucks or delivery’/service vehicles to turn in or exit as there is not enough space.”
In another submission to the council Anne Campion, of 9 Barra an tSean Bhaile, says the scale of the proposed apartment block “is completely unprecedented in the town and it is totally out of character in this old part of Dingle.” She adds that: “The pleasure of using my garden in this peaceful spot will be adversely affected.”
Her concerns are shared by Patrick Walsh and Anne McSwiney, Tralee, who own No. 11 Barra an tSean Bhaile and are concerned about the height of the apartment building, the design, traffic and noise, and intrusion on their privacy
“It will be an eyesore which will be visible from the waterfront and will change the overall skyline of Dingle,” they say. “The thought of this unsightly and out of place structure, with all its balconies, overlooking the Convent and the Prayer Garden [in An Díseart] is nothing but heart-wrenching.”
Barra and tSean Bhaile Property Management Company also lodged seven observations with the council concerning the height of the proposed development, light intrusion, traffic and parking, noise, and visual impact.
The company points out that 10 of the 17 properties in Barra and tSean Bhaile “share their boundary with, or are directly overlooked by the proposed development”… and the development would lead to “extensive overshadowing”.
The company also states that “the proposed structure will create an overbearing block, at inappropriate height in the skyline” and that the building, which makes extensive use of glass would create a “wall of light” that would impact on neighbouring residents as well as “the quiet, meditative amenity area of the Diseart garden”.
The building “is without precedent, does not fit in with the local built environment and is contrary to the sustainable development of the town,” the management company adds.
In a letter to Kane Williams Architects, which is included in the planning documents, Kerry County Council planners advise that “the Conservation Officer has reservations about the ability of the proposed development to integrate satisfactorily with the setting and character of protected structures in the vicinity of the site.
Kane Williams respond to some of the points raised in the submissions, stating that the development is appropriate for a ‘brownfield’ site and they are “confident that a high quality, well designed building will be an immediate enhancement to the site and its environs.”
They also say that while every effort will be made to minimise noise and light pollution caused by the development, it should be borne in mind that the apartments would be in “an urban infill site on zoned land in an urban environment; light and noise are everyday occurrences in urban life.”
Michael Slattery, who hopes to develop the apartments and B&B told The Kerryman this week the apartments are not designed for short-term holiday rentals. “It is intended for permanent residents, possibly for older people looking to downsize and move into a nice place in town.”
“It’s what I thought was best way for the future of the town… if you make apartments that are high quality people will live there, not buy to rent,” said Michael who added that he wants to build a place that people would be happy to live in.
He doesn’t expect a decision on the planning application until next year and if the application is successful he would hope to start work on the B&B part of the development soon after receiving planning permission. However, he added that “it would be hard to say when it would be possible to start work on the apartments”.